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Common Causes of Trucking Accidents

Every year, many people are involved in trucking accidents, some of which cause injuries and some that don’t. In fact, over the past two decades, the number of truck accidents has increased by 20% and approximately 5,000 people alone died in 2002 from these accidents. You may wonder who is responsible for your trucking accident based on what you saw with your own eyes or what other witnesses saw the day it happened. There may be many people involved in these accidents that could be held liable for your injury compensation.

The truth is, there are many laws that govern trucking accidents. Because of these laws, certain standards have been established for the trucking companies, owners, and drivers. If these same people refuse to follow the simple standards, they could lose their ability to drive truck altogether. There are many entities who may be held liable in a trucking accident, such as the actual driver, the owner of the truck, the person who leased the truck, the manufacturer of the truck’s equipment, or the shipper or loader of the truck’s cargo.

Liability

Liability is something that trucking companies have to watch out for, which is why drivers are trained to drive carefully and avoid hazards. Some trucking companies engage in some sly games to avoid liability no matter the cost. For instance, a trucking company may choose to obtain the necessary permits to operate the truck. The company, however, doesn’t own the tractor, trailer, or necessary equipment. It leases instead under an owner or operator. They also hire independent contractors and not actual employees. If the truck becomes involved in an accident and the company is sued, they will play it off by saying that the driver was not the company’s actual employee and they do not own the equipment in full. The good news is, if a trucking company tries to do this to you if you are suing for injuries, federal laws and regulations stand in as a way to help you. If a truck bears the company’s name, then they instantly become responsible for what happens in many ways.

Common Accidents

Driver error is one of the most common causes of trucking accidents, which can be caused by drug use, speeding, fatigue, distractions, and more. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that action or inaction by drivers was the reason for 88% of crashes.

Another reason for these accidents is problems with equipment. Some examples include removing the front brakes, brake failure due to inadequate adjustments, tire blowouts, improper securing of load, defective steering, or improper trailer attachment.

Have you been injured in a trucking accident? The trucking industry can be entirely complex, which is why you should have a skilled attorney on your side who has experience with these cases. At RAWA Law Group, we can do just this and get you the compensation you deserve after your accident. We can fight the big-name companies and get to the bottom of who is at fault in your specific case.

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Regardless of your claim, our workers comp lawyer in chino can help you get the settlement and justice you deserve. Our clients have faced challenges such as: workplace injuries, car accidents, wrongful termination, harassment and discrimination, working unpaid overtime, and a plethora of other issues. No matter what you’ve been through, our attorneys can help you get compensation for your losses and pain and suffering.